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If some people feel the hospitality industry is not attractive and not promising, it is not the case with Ginto Hutagalung, President University alumni majoring in Management. Ginto, who graduated from President University in 2008, got his first job in the hospitality industry and slowly fell in love with the industry.
Starting from wanting to learn about Learning and Development, Ginto works as a Training Assistant at Alila Hotel Jakarta, which also works on HR operations. At that time, he still did not have a clear picture of his future career.
Six months later, the departure of the HR division supervisor and the absence of the Training Division colleague due to maternity leave made Ginto quite confused. "It was quite difficult to find a replacement for the HR Manager and Training Manager at the time so I was in charge alone. Whether I like it or not, I had to learn all about HR and Training in a short time," recalls Ginto.
His perseverance in the face of quite severe challenges in his first job led Ginto to a golden opportunity, which later became the starting point of his career in the hospitality industry. "Within 1.5 years after graduation, I had the opportunity to become the HR Manager at Jababeka Grand Zuri Hotel. It was quite challenging because I managed all employees including the seniors there," he said. Being a department leader at a young age, Ginto admitted that good stress management was one of the keys to survival.
In addition, Ginto believes that attitude is also an important key to success in the hospitality industry. Given the hotel industry is a business that offers services, dealing with a variety of characteristics of guests and clients, it could be draining the heart and mind. "Complaints from guests are unavoidable. But our attitude when responding to those complaints, that will make us different than others," he said. According to him, complaints from clients should not be used as a disaster, but instead, become lessons to make the hotel where we work developed.
Ginto revealed, his experience at President University that uses English, played a major role in developing himself as an individual. "Back in college, every course there was always a part of the project and presentation, of course using English. Both are very helpful in building my confidence," he explained. Having college friends from various regions in Indonesia have also helped him to have a high sense of tolerance.
Currently, Ginto works as a Talent & Culture (HR) Manager at the Novotel Hotel, Tangerang and, is chosen as the Chairperson of the Banten Chapter Hotel Human Resources Manager Association. He also has been invited to several seminars and international conferences held by universities to share his experience and insight on the hospitality industry.
It has been almost a decade working in the hospitality industry, he advised all students who want to pursue a career in this industry to enjoy the process. "The desire to be in a high position in a hotel after graduating from college is reasonable. But in reality, everything needs a process. I still remember clearly, one of the lecturers at President University used to always say, 'Be Exceptional'. You don't want to be the same as the others. If others take one step, we have to take more steps. We must always do more than what others do. This mentality is what the companies are looking for in their employees," he concluded. (GG)
Ginto Hutagalung: Be Exceptional Menjadi Kunci Sukses di Industri Perhotelan
Jika sebagian orang merasa industri perhotelan tidak menarik dan tidak menjanjikan, tidak demikian dengan Ginto Hutagalung, alumni President University jurusan Manajemen. Ginto yang lulus dari President University pada tahun 2008 ini mendapatkan pekerjaan pertamanya di industri perhotelan dan perlahan jatuh cinta dengan industri tersebut.
Berawal dari ingin mempelajari tentang Learning and Development, Ginto bekerja sebagai Training Assistant di Alila Hotel Jakarta, yang juga mengerjakan operasional HR. Saat itu, ia masih belum memiliki gambaran yang jelas akan karirnya ke depan.
Enam bulan kemudian, keluarnya sang atasan divisi HR dan absennya sang kolega divisi Training karena cuti melahirkan membuat Ginto cukup kebingungan. "Cukup sulit mencari pengganti HR Manager dan Training Manager saat itu sehingga saya in charge sendirian. Mau tidak mau saya harus mempelajari semua hal tentang HR dan Training dalam waktu yang singkat," kenang Ginto.
Kegigihannya menghadapi tantangan yang cukup berat di pekerjaan pertamanya, mengantarkan Ginto pada kesempatan emas, yang kemudian menjadi awal titik perjalanan karirnya di industri perhotelan. "Dalam waktu 1,5 tahun setelah lulus, saya mendapat kesempatan menjadi HR Manager di Hotel Grand Zuri Jababeka. Cukup menantang. Karena yang saya manage itu semua karyawan, ya termasuk bapak-bapak yang senior di sana," ujarnya. Menjadi pimpinan departemen di usia muda, Ginto mengaku stress management yang baik menjadi salah satu kunci untuk bertahan.
Selain itu, Ginto berpendapat, attitude juga menjadi kunci penting untuk sukses di industri perhotelan. Mengingat industri perhotelan adalah bisnis yang menawarkan jasa, menghadapi berbagai karakteristik tamu dan klien, bisa jadi menguras hati dan pikiran. “Komplain dari tamu itu tidak dapat dihindari. Tapi attitude kita saat merespon, itu yang akan jadi pembeda,” ujarnya. Menurutnya, komplain dari klien jangan dijadikan musibah, tapi menjadi pembelajaran untuk membuat hotel tempat kita bekerja maju.
Ginto mengungkapkan, pengalamannya berkuliah menggunakan bahasa Inggris di President University berperan besar dalam pengembangan dirinya sebagai seorang individu. “Dulu saat kuliah, setiap mata kuliah selalu ada bagian project dan presentasi, tentu menggunakan bahasa Inggris. Keduanya sangat membantu dalam membangun kepercayaan diri saya,” jelasnya. Memiliki teman kuliah dari berbagai daerah di Indonesia juga membantunya memiliki rasa toleransi yang tinggi.
Saat ini Ginto bekerja sebagai Talent & Culture (HR) Manager di Hotel Novotel, Tangerang dan dipercaya sebagai Ketua Asosiasi Manajer Sumber Daya Manusia Hotel Chapter Banten. Ginto juga dipercaya menjadi beberapa pembicara di seminar dan konferensi internasional perguruan tinggi untuk membagikan penglaman dan ilmunya di dunia perhotelan.
Sudah hampir satu dekade bergulat di industri perhotelan, ia berpesan untuk semua mahasiswa yang ingin menitih karir di industri ini untuk menikmati proses. “Keinginan untuk berada di posisi tinggi sebuah hotel setelah lulus kuliah itu wajar. Tapi pada kenyataannya, semua butuh proses. Saya masih ingat betul, salah satu dosen di President University dulu selalu berpesan, ‘Be Exceptional’. Jangan mau sama dengan yang lain. Kalau yang lain mengerjakan satu, kita harus mengerjakan dua. Kita harus selalu lebih dari yang lain. Mental seperti ini yang nanti akan membuat kita dengan cepat dilirik perusahaan,” tutupnya. (SL)
